Advent offers everyone the chance to prepare for the celebration of Christ's Birth on Christmas. It is a time of hope and anticipation that is often confused with the secular notions of the Holiday season. For us in the Catholic Church, it is a special because Advent marks the beginning of our liturgical year...essentially our New Year's celebration of our faith. Clearly the season has different signs and symbols that clearly show that Advent is a preparatory and transitional time. The Church... Read Full Story
The return of some Anglicans to the Roman flock is indeed an historic event for the Catholic Church. However, there are a few points that should prove difficult for the returning Anglicans that might be difficult with which to abide. Of course the first point deals with the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome as the Head of the Catholic Church. Without affirmation to this critical point of Roman primacy, the former Anglicans need to seriously contemplate what this reunion means to them and their fa... Read Full Story
When growing up in Gray’s Ferry, Halloween was one of the holidays Catholic grade school children at Saint Gabriel School anyways anticipated with their usual fervor. First and foremost the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, (the Mighty Macs) always made sure their students knew the Catholic roots that surrounded Halloween. Every year in the lower grades, children were asked to dress up as saints in celebration of the eve of All Hallows, our modern All Saints Day. It was not un... Read Full Story
The then Father Ratzinger with Fr.Yves Congar d.1995 during the Second Vatican Council.Welcoming the Anglicans back to communion and permitting the retention of some of their ritual traditions should come as no surprise for Catholics that appreciate the message of Vatican II.During the Second Vatican Council, then Father Ratzinger collaborated closely with Fr. Yves Congar(1904-1945) in revamping the Catholic view towards our Protestant brothers and sisters divided by the Reformation. Perhaps... Read Full Story
Pope Benedict and the Archbishop of Canterbury ex. Independent News.UKRecently Pope Benedict XVI made an offer to members of the Anglican Communion a way to return to the Catholic Church with stipulations. There is a growing chord of discontent among members of the Anglican Church that are concerned about the church’s ordination of women & stance in favor of homosexual activities within their clergy and among their faithful. The Holy Father has even made provisions to accept married Anglican... Read Full Story
Benedict XVI celebrating Easter Vigil 2007. Photo from About Catholicism.com"Every piece of art, be it religious or secular, be it a painting, a sculpture, a poem or any form of handicraft made by loving skill, is a sign and a symbol of the inscrutable secret of human existence, of man's origin and destiny, of the meaning of his life and work."Pope John Paul II, in his Address at Clonmacnoise, Ireland, September 1979There is quite a bit to consider when reading this statement by the late Pope... Read Full Story
The Catholic Church is still under a state of siege in our contemporary world. This altercation is taking place every single day on various levels such as You-Tube, the secular press with anti-Catholic messages broadcast all over the world. Recently, the comedianatrix Sarah Silverman has taken derogatory aim with her cynical brand of entertainment at the Catholic Church and its global works of charity. Most of all, her attempt at humor deliberately makes fun of the humanitarian efforts of the... Read Full Story
Chartres Cathedral's famous Rose WindowThe upcoming convocation for artist at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel next month includes architects as well as artisans. Their inclusion into the gathering is a superlative move on the part of Pope Benedict XVI. The presence of architects will allow Benedict to emphasize very strongly to the designers of new buildings that are used as sacred worship spaces; they need to design the structural aspects around the functionality of our Catholic rituals and Sac... Read Full Story
Catholics should be very concerned about the continued progress that is being made by President Barack Obama towards increasing immoral secularism in our American government and military forces. Over the weekend the President announced he would end the ,”don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy that has been the norm for decades concerning homosexuals in the military. The policy was initiated by former President Clinton as a non-resolution to the growing concerns of homosexuality within our military se... Read Full Story
Throughout the world we are learning that Barack Obama has been awarded the Nobel Prize. Even according to news reports, the President himself was, “humbled,” by the news that he was this years recipient of the prestigious accolade.The mission of promoting peace in the world however begins not just on a diplomatic and global scale. It begins with the basic premise that all human life is sacred and is a gift from God. The political and social agenda of Barack Obama’s public service career does... Read Full Story
